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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9027, 4 November 1892, Page 4

Our cable despatches to-day give particulars of a disastrous railway catastrophe in England, involving serious loss of life. While the Scotch express from Edinburgh to London was nearing the Thirsk station, in Yorkshire, it came into collision with a goods train which, presumably through the negligence of someone, had been permitted to remain on the main . line instead of being shunted on to a siding. The express at the time was running at the rate of sixty miles an hour, and the horror of the calamity was intensified by several of the carriages, piled on the engine, taking fire, and thus preventing the inmates from escaping. The loss of life is stated to amount to thirteen persons, but it is feared that this number does nob include the whole of the victims. Among those who were killed was Captain Duncan McLeod, who was on his way to join the steamer Orotava, for Australia. Among the passengers who escaped uninjured were Lords' Tweeddale and Huntly, the former of whom expresses the belief, that the signalman was asleep ; bub as he himself is stated to have been in a similar condition in a Pullman car at the- time of the accident, it is not quite clear how he arrives at such a conclusion. The number of injured is not given, but as there were over 100 passengers on the express train, it is probable that it is large. Accidents on the English railways are nob infrequent, but it is seldom^.' that the Scotch express meets with any mishap, while it is some considerable time since such a serious disaster in England has had bo be chronicled. An even more terrible catastrophe was narrowly averted in the case of the troopship Crocodile, which, with 1150 persons on board, was nearly being wrecked on the Isle of Wight on the same day during a fog. The warship Home is in a dangerous position on a reef an the Spanish coast. Rumours are again! current to the effect that the Ameer of Afghanistan is acting evasively in regard bo receiving the mission which the Viceroy of India proposes to send to confer with him. The London Times doubts the correctness of these reports, but hopes that if they are true the Ameer will be better advised. In Calcutta, however, it is not believed that Lord Roberts will start on his mission for three months. The municipal elections in England, which are usually fought on political party lines, have so far resulted in a slight gain for the Liberals.

The mail steamer Alameda, with the inward English and American mails, may be expected to arrive during the day. She left San Francisco on October 15, one day later than her contract date. She leaves for Sydney a few hours after her arrival here.

To-day's issue of the New Ze/.land Herald, including the Monthly Summary for transmission by the outgoing San Francisco mail, which closes for newspapers afa half-past eleven to-morrow forenoon, consists of fourteen pages, comprising one hundred and twelve columns,' The Summary this month contains, in addition to the usual selection of local, general, political, commercial, statistical, shipping, and mining news, a full and carefully-compiled history of the arrival of the Scottish pioneer settlers, who came bo the colony in the Duchess of Argyle and Jane Gifford, together with an interesting account of the various celebrations in connection therewith, and the great Jubilee Gathering of the survivors of those early settlers and of old colonists in general. A roll of their names is appended, and in the list will be found those of many who have played a prominent part in the history of the Auckland Province. A narrative is given of the early colonisation by the settlers who arrived by the Brilliant in 1841, and also a series of valuable articles showing the progress and position of the colony as disclosed in the last census returns. The Summary, ib will thus be seen, is exceptionally interesting as a record of the early days of colonisation and the advancement of the colony.

The Union S.S. Company's steamer Takapuna left Wellington for the Manukau yesterday with the outward mails for the San Francisco mail steamer Monowai. She is timed bo arrive early bo-morrow, and leaves again at eight a.m. with the inward mails by the Alameda. Amongst the passengers by the Takapuna is. Sir Roberta Stout, who is proceeding to Samoa in connection with the lawsuit of Cornwall v. McArthur and Co.

The following telegram has been received at the Thames from the Hon. A. J. Cadman :—" The Government has decided to remit the duty on cyanide of potassium where ib is required for mining purposes."

The Synod sittings were continued yesberday, and at length the reports and statements of accounts of the Standing Committee, which have been before the Synod almost continuously since the opening of the session, were disposed of in committee and reported to the Synod with the resolutions passed regarding them. An important motion in regard bo having all seats in churches free was debated, and the resolution affirming the principle was carried. It was agreed that the Synod should meet at three o'clock this afternoon and sit until six o'clock. The annual choral service will be held at St. Mary's Church at half-pasb seven o'clock, when the Diocesan Choir, under bbs leadership of Mr. A. Towsey, organist of* St. Matthew's, will sing, and the sermon will be preached by the Rev. O. MacMurray. It will of course be open to the public free of charge, bub a collection will be made in aid of the choir fund. .?

A number of officers from the French , warship Duchaffault visited the Free Public Library yesterday, and looked over the documents there relating" to Baron Da Thierry, etc., with much interest. They intend to revisit the Library on another occasion, as there are many thing! in fch« Grey collection of interest to the bom of La Belle France. :'■ "" - ** -■**•-• .

At the Police Court vos|^ a y morn K before Messrs. W. Crowbf an( '• ** Prime, J. P.'a, the severe/ nfcence of BIX months with bard labour v 1 imposed upon an old man, named Ron keary, for indecent exposure, i Six aontnß " id the man in surprise, i" Ye*'' x months,," said Mr. Crowther, ".fndlW deserve twelve." A number of cases iA the Education Act were also dealt vyO. To one noligent parent Mr. Crowthir'id that it was surprising that he did feel the importance of educating his c'dren when it could be done for nothing. Che father said that one of the children ha no boots or stockings, and no books, ft Crowther replied that the law did nob'ecognise such excuses. Hundreds of chH'en went to school without boots ; whilbooks might be provided in cases where could bo shown that the parents could afford to pay for them.

Mrs. Matson'f Parnoll, who it will be recollected susfned a very narrow defeat when she reoe» v stood as a candidate for » seat in tb Parnoll Borough Council, intends bo bra*? l "" a candidate in the event of Mr. ohn McCabe being elected Mayor, and t iß creating a vacancy in the Council.

We unde*»»d that Mr. W. J. Napier was retaine<yesberday afternoon to act for the plaintifin the great Samoan case of Cornwall i William McArthur and Co. Sir RoberStout and Mr. J. P. Campbell are to ardar fur the defendant?. The action is i £60,000 damages. Mr. Napier leaves fc Samoa to-morrow by the mail steamer onowai, and will be absent from Aucklan about six weeks. The case comes before t 1 Chief Justice of Samoa on the 15th in»"t.

The authorities are busy invest!gating* to the circumstances of the death ol the to Mr. William Thompson, and the Waikciiti mystery. When the inquiry is rested next Tuesday, there will be a large mount of evidence ready, over a score: witnesses having to be examined, these include settlers, medical men, ohemts, and detectives.

A jbbery was committed at the railway ltati» and post office at Opua, Kawakawa Rail ay, on Tuesday night. On Mr. Murdocl arriving in the morning, ho found acefs had been obtained by cutting the widow sash away, the place ransacked, anr 3s worth of postal cards missing. Costable McGilp is making inquiries.

i. meeting of persons interested in the fcmation of a kennel club was held at the Fitish Hotel. Queen-street, last night. Jr. C. J. Phillips presided. After some ireliminary discussion, it was decided to .orm a club, to bo called the Auckland Kennel Club. Mr. Charles Grosvenor was elected secretary pro tern. A meeting will be called for the election of officers at a future date.

The monthly meeting of tho Onehunga School Committee was held last night. There were present: Dr. W. R. Erson (chairman), Rev. H. W. J. Miller, Messrs. J. R. Stych, F. •Sorris. J. McMabon, R. Smith, J. M. Barr, and G. J. Jackson ; also Messrs. P. Clark (secretary) and R. D. Stewart (headmaster). The headmaster's report showed that the number of children on the roll was 540, and that the average attendance for the past month was 449. The chairman was empowered to sign an agreement on behalf of the committee to pay F. Finch the sum of £35 for keeping the school and out offices clean during the ensuing year. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. Barr, it was resolved to transfer the committee's banking account to the branch of the National Bank of New Zealand recently opened in Onehunga. A motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. McMahon, " That; the inspector's return, showing the individual failures and passes of pupils at tho last examination of the school, be laid on the table for the information of the committee," was negatived, the mover and seconder only voting for it. An "Indignant ronsonbyite" writes, complaining that the tramcars were overcrowded yesterday morning, and that no extra carrying provision was made in the laying on of trams to town. He states that some people had to walk, and arrived in town in a state of soak, with the risk of catching cold, influenza, etc. On making inquiries at the Tramway Company's Office, the manager informed us that extra accommodation for passengers was put on equal for 250 passengers, not only on the western circuit, but partly on the omnibus line through Freeman's Buy. The standing orders at the I'onsonby depot), and .at Epsom Stables, are, in case of rain setting in, for extra cars to be put on at the shortest possible notice. When rain sets in suddenly, it is not practicable, he states, to have cars from the above depots in the streets at five minutes' notice, to meet a sudden demand made by the travelling public, but that every effort is being made to meet the public convenience. The funeral of the late Mr. Gabriel Smith, of Mangere, took place yesterday afternoon, and was very largely attended in spite of the wet weather. The remains of tho deceased gentleman were interred in the Presbyterian cemeterv at Mangere, and among those who followed" the body to the grave were many of the settlers of the district, and a number of the members of the local Masonic lodge (Lodge Manukau). A meeting of the Eight Hours' Committee was held last evening in the Liberal Association Rooms, Mr. Dixon in the chair. There was a large attendance. A great amount of business was gone through, and the greatest enthusiasm was shown through out the proceedings. A letter was received from Father Walter McDonald, stating his intention of being present at the sports, and wishing success to the movement. Tine organiser brought up his report, from which it appeared that he had been energetically engaged in interviewing the representative of the various trades and industries with regard to taking part in the procession, and the following had signified their intention of doing so?— Printers, blacksmiths, engineers, fitters, boilermakers, tailors, painters, Observer's turn-out, Broady (ovenmaker), sailmakera, bootmakers, shipwrights, kauii gum sorters, Gas Company's employees, Kauri Timber Company. Leyland and O'Brien. The Band of Hopo Union have also been writttn to, inviting them to attend. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. James Regan for the thorough manner he had worked to organise a display. The secretary was instructed to write, inviting the inmates of the Costley Boys' Institute, Old Men's Refuge, St. Mary's Orphanage, and the Parnell Home, to attend the sports. Mr. Regan was appointed marshal. A vote of sympathy to the tailoresses in their efforts to conciliate the employers and obtain a settlement was passed, and also one expressing pleasure at the action of the Employers' Association in coming forward to act as a Conciliation Board. It was stated at the meeting that Mr. Tudehope had been offered a J. P.-ship, but had not yet made up his mind to accept it. We have to acknowlege receipt of the Christmas number of the Observer, entitled, "Tena-koe." The well-known kindly Maori salutation, is the subject for a pictorial sketch in "Bio's" well-known style, illustrative of Maori life. Among the portraits in the number are those of Tawhiao, Sir Harry Atkinson, the members of the Ballanco Ministry, etc. There are several pages of humourous illustrations, with appropriate letterpress, both being expositions of Maori 8° rial customs. The Christmas stories, games, etc., complete an excellent Christmas number.

Ever since the catching song, " Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay " came before the public, there has been a difficulty of procuring the words of the song in New Zealand. This has now been overcome by an Auckland young lady, who has drawn a particularly clever pen-and-ink sketch of the dance, together with the word.-* of the song. No less than two dozen faces are portrayed in the sketch. The sketch has been neatly lithographed at the Hekald lithographic works, and is now on sale in the city.

Yesterday, while Messrs. Kidd (manager of the tramways) and John Paterson (of Paterson Brothers) were crossing the Remuera railway bridge in a buggy, the borne took fright at some cattle in the paddock below and shied. The result was that one of the wheels of the buggy came in contact with the outer post of the protecting railing of the embankment, which gave way, and the buggy, horse, and men rolled over the embankment. One oi the shafts of the buggy was broken, but otherwise no damage was done to horse or trap. Mr. Kidd escaped without injury, but Mr. Paterson was not so fortunate, having badly injured, if not broken, one of his thumbs. Some persons coming along aided in getting the buggy on to the roadway again, and the shaft having been spliced, Messrs. Kidd and Peterson succeeded in reaching town* . - ;>;..< '■"'" ■ -»■-• * :v; ■'.

At the usual monthly meeting of the Auckland Ladies' Hew Hebrides Missionary Association considerable time was taken up in sorting and arranging the many articles preparatory for packing in the mission box that is to be sent off to Mrs. Watt nexb week. Handsome donations were received from Messrs. Clark and Son, Mrs. A. Clark, sen., Messrs. Morrin and Co., Messrs. Upton and Co., Messrs. Burns and Co., Messrs. Sargood, Son, and Ewen, Messrs. Cruickshank and Miller, and Messrs. J. and J. Dickey. These donations, together with the rest of the articles prepared for the box, make ib a valuable one, and it is the wish of the members of the Association that Mrs. Watt should receive it in time for Christmas. Mrs. Lyon, of New York, was present, and gave an interesting account of mission fields. She had visited South Africa and India. She also spoke of meeting Dr. Paton in Melbourne, and related one or two incidents she had been told by missionaries who had returned to Australia from the New Hebrides.

We learn that Mr. Robert McMillan, who was thrown from his horse on the Great South Road, and was taken on Wednesday evening to Obahuhu in an unconscious condition, recovered consciousness the same night. He was yesterday removed to the District Hospital.

The Monthly Record (Young Men's Christian Association) for November is to hand. It contains a letter which the general secretary has received from Mr. A. Knight, who recently left for England via the Pacific mail route. Speaking of the new Young Men's Christian Association premises, Chicago, Mr. Knight says :— "They are about to build a grand now building worthy of Chicago ; they hope to have it ready for the World's Fair, May, 1893, and to this end will work night and day. It is to cost 750,000 dollars, nearly £200,000 (without land). They have raised half, and expect to have all the balance in hand, from sale of building site and other means, prior to opening. It will be 13 storeys high. The Chicagoans claim to have built the first Young Men's Christian Association building in the world, dedicated by Bishop Simpson, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The cost of the first building and land was about £30,000 ; the present one, and the extra land bought, will bo nearly £400,000. This will give you an idea of the way Young Mon's Christian Associations are supported in this country. The first building was dedicated in 1567 and burned down with a year ; the second was burned in IS7I. Young Men's Christian Association secretaries are thought much more of in this country than in England and colonies, and are paid double the stipends, being on an equality with the ministers of the city. Money is made easily, and spent easily, and everything is much dearer than in the colonies. The wealth of the United States' 60,000,000 of people is controlled by 70,000 people; and every day, in free, democratic America, the rich are becoming richer, and the poor poorer." " Notes on Theosophy" (by the Rev. i'has. Carter), Notes on the Union Parliament, Current Topics, and the news of the Churches and the Sunday school Union, with well-selected general literature, complete a readable number.

At a general meeting of the Auckland Yacht Club it was decided to formally open the season on the &th instant by a short cruise of the yachts belonging to tho club. Owing to tho unfavourable weather which has prevailed lately a number of the yachts are not yet ready to tako up the practical business of the season, and it has been decided to arrange an outing for the honorary members of the club on a later date. His Excellency the Governor has accepted the club's invitation for a short cruise on the 23rd instant. A general meeting of the club is to be held on Monday next to make all final arrangements.

At a meeting of the Auckland Tailoresses' Union the following resolution was unanimously passed :— " That this meeting of the Auckland Tailoresses' Union, seeing that after six months' negotiations with the manufacturers all conciliatory measures are now exhausted, do hereby call on the Government and the Legislature of New Zealand to press into law, in the early stages of the next session of Parliament, a Conciliation Bill containing in its clauses provisions for compulsory arbitration, so that the working women of Auckland may be able to obtain some redress against tyranny and oppression, and be free from tho evils of undercutting and the competitive system." A copy of this resolution was ordered to be sent to tho Premier, the Hon. the Minister of Labour, and the Auckland city and suburban members of Parliament, and it was decided to solicit the assistance and co-operation of the other labour unions in the colony for the purpose of getting the Arbitration Bill passed into law next session. The following resolutions were also passed:—l. "That the Auckland Tailoresses' Union place on record its deep sense of the work rendered by Miss Morrison in organising the Union, and recognises the great benefits she has conferred on the women engaged in the clothing trade in this city as many have received an advance in wages." 2. " That the union desires to place on record its deep sense of gratitude to the Employers' Association for the sincere earnestness which they have displayed in endeavouring to obtain a fair settlement of their difficulties."

The Hon. Mr. Rigg, one of the newlyappointed members of the Legislative Council, spoke at the eight hours' demonstration at Wellington a few days ago. He gave the following exposition of political economy :— " Don let them think that the eight hours' day was an accomplished fact, for there was a difference between an eight hours' day and 48 hours a-week. To make up the difference, men now had to work half of Saturday or half-an-hour daily, or take less pay for the shortened time. However, he hoped that the Eight Hours' Bill would be brought in next session as a Government measure, and when ib next went up to the aristocratic Chamber there would be men there to give it the welcome which ib deserved and required, bub which ib had not receivod last session. The philosophy of the whole matter, from the workmen's point of view, was that shorter hours meant more demand for labour, and, therefore, better pay for the worker— that ' better pay' being merely the worker's due as an indispensable factor in the great science of production."

At a meeting held in Avondale Public Hall, on Wednesday evening last, it was resolved to form a branch of the National Association. Mr. Haigh was called to the chair, and introduced Messrs. McDonald and Phillips, members of tho council, and Mr. Hastie, organising secretary. In his address Mr. McDonald dwelt upon the socialistic tendencies of the present Government, basing his criticism and authority for holding that opinion from the authorised platform of the National Liberal Association, which had its headquarters in Dunedin, and such leading spirits as Sir Robert Stout, tho Hon. Mr. Seddon, and the chief members and supporters of the present Ministry. Mr. McDonald road and criticised seriatim from a copy of the National Liberal Association platform, which he held in his hand. He referred also to the case of John Lundon and the native land purchase transactions, remarking that it was tho duty of the present Miuistry to see justice meted out. In turn, Mr. Phillips contrasted the objects of the National Association with the doctrines propounded by the Liberal Federation and the actions performed by present Ministry and their supporters in Parliament and the press. He contended that the State Socialism and patronage now being preached and practised by the present party in power were detrimental to the best interests of the colony, and that the burdens of Customs and taxation were not equitably distributed. What the National Association meant to foster and vindicate was a sentiment above party, and they hoped for success. Mr. Hastie dwelt chiefly on the importance of branches and the work of general organisation already done, referring to the encouragement received from all parts of the colony. Messrs. Johnson and Paterson moved and seconded respectively the resolution, which was carried, to form the branch. Mr. Binsted proposed that the present meeting form the committee to carry out the arrangements, and on the motion of Mr. Nesbitt Messrs. Haigh and Smith were unanimously chosen convenors for next meeting. Those present then subscribed to the platform, and a vote of thanks was accorded to the speakers and chairman.

There was a good attendance at the Opera House last night, when Will's Surprise Party repeated their brisk, bright, and clever entertainment. , A new programme is announced for this evening. - ■ .